It’s impossible to have a conversation about restaurants in Cambridge without mentioning Oleana: Helmed by James Beard winner Ana Sortun (also of Sofra), Oleana's kitchen has been a mainstay of the Cambridge dining scene since 2001 and has garnered countless accolades for its bold, Middle Eastern fusion small plates. But just as impactful as the food is the role Oleana has played as a launching pad for many of the Boston-area's most acclaimed chefs: Oleana-trained local Cassie Piuma, for example, co-opened Sarma in Somerville alongside Sortun in 2013, and has received six nods from the James Beard Foundation for the casual spot's Turkish-inspired tapas. Reserve a table well ahead of time, and don’t miss the skewers, Black Sea Cornbread, or extensive cocktail list.

Sarma is the third outpost in restaurateur Ana Sortun’s Boston empire after the acclaimed Oleana and Sofra. Meyhanes—literally, “houses of wine”—have been social gathering places in Istanbul since Byzantium, and Sarma channels the communal spirit of these traditional Turkish bar/restaurants while serving up craft cocktails, local beer, and of course wine, not to mention typical meyhane snacks like parsnip fritters and lamb kofte (albeit the latter in slider form). Mezes, the eastern Mediterranean’s version of tapas, are also dished up alongside sarma wraps and shish kebab: Chef/owner Cassie Piuma gets creative with the latter, skewering and grilling scallops, quail, and barbecued duck.

If you go to Sarma, a Mediterranean restaurant in Winter Hill that’s packed every night, loneliness is definitely not going to be a problem. There’s a big menu here, but even if you explore only a small part of it you’ll be fine—the flavors of each dish are so intense you’ll be satisfied after only a few plates. We recommend starting with the lamb loin chop mezze with cherry nuoc cham, and then keeping an eye out on the specials that are carried around the dining room on trays.

With more than 40 fresh, flavorful Mediterranean small plates and a wealth of options for vegetarians, this Oleana offshoot shines just as bright as the original. You’ll want to dine here with each seasonal change to see what new creations appear among the mehayne (bar) snacks, meze, sarma (like dolma), and shish. Dreamy offerings such as pomegranate sticky ribs, black sea cornbread, Swiss chard tabouli, crab and red lentil kibbeh, and feta gnocchi will have you wanting more.

The word ‘sarma’ has two meanings that perfectly sum up this restaurant called Sarma. Literally, it denotes a bite-sized bundle of food as served in Mediterranean mezze (the speciality of this restaurant). It also means an embrace, with food here also perfectly fitting that definition, with each of the small dishes offering the warm, enveloping flavours of Greece, Turkey and the Middle East.

Eleven years in, Sarma continues to reign as one of the finest Mediterranean-inspired restaurants around. Under chef Cassie Piuma’s guidance, familiar dishes are transformed into culinary marvels (think: breads and spreads, snacks and mezze, little sandwiches and skewers—each plate surprising with its inventive twist on traadition.) The vegetable preparations, in particular, are a testament to Piuma’s creativity. Despite its well-deserved popularity, Sarma is refreshingly unpretentious, with casual, fun servers matching the vibrant energy of the space—which helps explain why a weeknight reservation is as coveted as a primetime slot on the weekend.

Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ana Sortun deals in Mediterranean meze, not strictly vegetarian fare, but the Near East inspiration at her three dining spots is great for plant-based eaters. There’s a good reason why Sarma, Oleana, and Sofra Bakery & Cafe take their veggies so seriously: They source produce from Siena Farms, the Sudbury acreage owned by Sortun and her husband. Menus change frequently, but the classic Spinach Falafel with beet tzatziki has graced menus at both Oleana and Sofra; and Sarma gets seasonal with dishes like Parsnip Fritters with cilantro and walnut; and Feta Cheese Gnocchi with baby artichokes, peas, and porcini.

Like its acclaimed sibling restaurant—Turkish-inspired Oleana in Cambridge— newer Sarma in Somerville also roots its menu in Mediterranean meze. But chef Cassie Piuma plays up affinities among other global flavors, too: She laces her famous cornbread with feta, honey, and spicy peppers, while her swordfish, seasoned with black sesame and served with wasabi yogurt and yuzu-scented dolmades, marries Asian and Levantine sensibilities. Oleana may be a special occasion darling, but Sarma, with its uptempo music and walls hung with cheery painted plates, make for a more relaxed, tee-and-jeans kind of night out.

It's been nearly a decade since Sarma opened in Somerville, but the dining room remains buzzing like it's the new kid on the block. Mezze plates take cues from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, with a little extra flair. Come for the venison-wrapped dates, which arrive spiked with rose and perched in a pool of pistachio labneh, as well as menu newcomers like crispy, curry-laced latke chaat (a love child of the Jewish potato pancake and Indian street food) served with a dreamy tamarind chutney.

Chef Cassie Piuma continues to helm the Ana Sortun restaurant, which trades in the cuisine of a Turkish meyhane, aka tavern. And while liberal inspiration is taken from the Middle East, its focus is by no means a limitation. For instance: while the region-hopping menu offers shakshuka with creamed greens or lamb kofte sliders with sumac onions, you’ll also discover lentil nachos with radish tzatziki and Hawaiian pizza borek with smoked ham, pineapple, and pickled ramps.

Among the Hall of Famers were well-established restaurants that have continued to define Boston’s culinary scene, places that include Sarma, Asta, Toro, and Pammy’s. The publication noted that Brassica Kitchen + Café in Jamaica Plain has “matured into a gold-standard destination for small plates and fermentation-forward cooking,” while Field & Vine in Somerville has grown “from a fledgling sprout to an indispensable Eden for foodies in record time.

Rooted in the rich flavors of the Mediterranean, Sarma brings you a vibrant array of dishes that tell a story. From the delicate spices that linger on your palate to the intricate tapestry of textures in each dish, dining here is a journey that takes you straight to the heart of the Mediterranean. Think of inviting interiors reminiscent of old-world charm and dishes that are both comforting and unique.

Sarma is an extremely popular Middle Eastern restaurant in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville that is known for having some of the best food in the Boston area. This is a popular spot where reservations are competitive and often need to be made weeks in advance. The dishes that are served at Sarma are made with unique flavor combinations that you will not find anywhere else in the Boston area.

Sarma has been charming Somerville residents since it opened in 2013, serving a menu of mezze such as seven-layer hummus with falafel crackers, lamb kofte sliders, and mussel tagines. The flavors may remind diners of Oleana, where chef-owner Cassie Piuma spent 11 formative years working with now-business partner Ana Sortun. “She’s the greatest mentor of all time,” Piuma says.

When wandering through Somerville, you must stop close to Union Square and try this hip Middle Eastern meze spot. The unassuming door might have you wondering if you got the wrong place, but once inside, you’ll realize what a gem you’ve stumbled upon. Sarma‘s food is a mingling of Mediterranean favorites and Kofte sliders, as well as their aromatic shawarma.

Sarma is a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean gem that encourages communal dining with a shareable menu. Pair their specialty cocktails and craft beers with a delightful array of meze (small plate dishes). Offering traditional Middle Eastern fare with a Western twist, try specialties like latke falafel, eggplant parm börek, avocado muhammara, and harissa BBQ duck.

Sarma Restaurant stands out among many restaurants in Somerville, MA, USA. This restaurant offers a modern Mediterranean menu that will satisfy your craving for exotic flavours. The menu features meze, a selection of small dishes served in the Middle East, Greece, and Turkey. The meze at Sarma is designed to take you on a culinary journey.

Chef Ana Sortun partners with chef Cassie Pluma to serve Middle Eastern small plate meze dishes like smoked salmon taramasalata, fete cheese gnocchi, Moroccan fried shrimp and fava bean paté. The name Sarma means wrapped and rolled bundles of bite-sized food. Their interpretation brings dishes like lobster dolmades and mushroom moussaka.

is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Somerville that offers a unique dining experience with its menu of small plates. Chef Cassie Piuma has designed the dishes to be shareable, allowing diners to try a wide range of flavors. The menu changes regularly, featuring dishes like lamb kofte, octopus, and spicy chicken wings.

SarmaPlanning a cocktail party and want to up your app game?. Look to Sarma to provide an array of Turkish meze, or small plates. Chef Cassie Piuma puts her creative spin on traditional Mediterranean flavors in dishes like lentil nachos with a spicy feta fondue and radish tzatziki, pumpkin fritters and pork belly biscuits.

Inspired by Turkey's meyhanes, Sarma specializes in Eastern Mediterranean meze, perfect for sharing among friends. Pair these small plates with selected cocktails, wines and craft beers for a complete dining experience. Popular dishes at Sarma include manti (Turkish dumplings), seven-layer hummus and lamb kofte.

Sarma Restaurant in Somerville is a hidden gem for all the food enthusiasts out there. As soon as I stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere and warm ambiance immediately made me feel welcomed. With its focus on Mediterranean tapas, the menu offered an array of flavorful small plates that left me craving for more.

Located in Winter Hill, Sarma is a standout on any list of Somerville’s best eateries. Run by Chef Cassie Piuma, this beloved restaurant draws on Turkish and Middle Eastern influences with a menu of vibrant, flavorful small plates. The ambiance is energetic and cozy—perfect for groups or date nights.

The lemon chicken ($27) and lamb and grape leaf Sarma ($29) are also popular. Speaking of which, Sarma, a related Sortun restaurant in Somerville, has a more open, slightly more casual feel, and dishes out similarly high-quality Mediterranean plates, often to a convivial, later-night dining crowd.

Modeled after traditional restaurants or “meyhanes” in Turkey, Sarma offers an extensive menu filled with savory small plates. All of the dishes are designed to be shared with fellow guests. Feta Cheese Gnocchi, Lamb Kofte Sliders, and more delicious plates await you at this popular restaurant.

Grab a group of friends and linger at Sarma, catching up over meze (Mediterranean tapas). Work your way through perfectly-seasoned dishes like lamb sliders, seven-layer hummus, feta gnocchi, and cauliflower fatteh. The food and the ambiance provide the perfect dining experience.

Indulge in Sarma’s Mediterranean take on crowd favorites like their Ricotta donuts or loukamades. Authentic Boston dessert you’d love. Where:249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145 Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Well if you watch The Bear, you may laugh and think that Sarma doesn’t have near good enough table service to warrant a Michelin star. But because of Chef Sortun’s legacy and the incredible and consistent food, we would put this neighborhood gem on our list!

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (412 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Turkish- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145-3942- Read more on Tripadvisor

It's in a quiet area of the tourist-attraction-free neighborhood of Somerville. But once there, you'll feel like you've landed in the center of the culinary world, thanks to the gracious service, the handsomely colorful and light-filled…

Both Oleana and Sarma, restaurants run by the same chef (Ana Sortun) and pastry chef (Maura Kilpatrick) as Sofra, are really wonderful, both serving food based in Turkish cuisine and great for vegetarians (which I mostly am).

Sarma Restaurant 414 reviews Open Now Mediterranean, Turkish $$ - … WebReflections, the signature restaurant and bar at The Row Hotel, is the perfect place to savor local, seasonal cuisine and unique, handcrafted cocktails.

Info: An homage to the traditional meyhanes (restaurants) of Turkey, Sarma offers a diverse selection of small plates and craft cocktails inspired by Mediterranean flavors.

249 Pearl StreetSomerville, MA(617) 764-4464 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Sarma is an eccentric restaurant located in Somerville, serving Mediterranean fare.

Sofra, Sarma and Oleana: these incredible Cambridge/Somerville restaurants are women-led, founded and run… mothers, managers, chefs, entrepreneurs, wine directors and more

At the end of 2013, she opened up Sarma, a small-plates ("mezes") type restaurant modeled after the traditional meyhanes of Turkey. Again, in Somerville.